Hypnosis can be very helpful for phobias because there are a number of ways to approach someone’s fears. In Ericksonian hypnosis, an important approach is to reframe the fear or belief. I try to encourage the person to see the event or the feared object from a different perspective. Once the person can think about situation differently, I will have him practice in hypnosis doing the activity or being with the feared insect or animal, for example. If someone has developed a fear of flying because of a bumpy in a storm, I help him to imagine a smooth flight and try to build a feeling of safety and control. Each fearful thought can be modified to have less of an impact on the person. If someone is afraid of mice, for example, I tell stories about mice that make the animals more likable and less fear inducing.

Ericksonian hypnosis is a gentle approach that has helped many people overcome their fears and phobias so that they can lead a more free and less restricted life.